Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$210,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$190,909 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$176,400 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000 | $248,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $158,000 | $186,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $325,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $342,000 | $402,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $190,909▲ | $153,086 | +$37,823 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $194,040 | $229,152▲ | -$35,112 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $176,400▲ | $141,452 | +$34,948 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 9,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $38,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($190,909 vs $153,086 equivalent). Nashville, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Physician City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.